MRT-3 bus augmentation program sets 5-minute dispatching schedule

Full or not full, with or without passengers, passengers availing of MRT-3’s Bus Augmentation Program can expect buses to be deployed on a fixed interval of every 5 minutes to ferry them from designated loading and unloading stations along the MRT-3 line.

Buses will be using dedicated median lanes along EDSA to deliver faster travel times to passengers.

Currently, southbound loading stations are at MRT3 North Ave. Station and Quezon Ave. Station, and unloading stations are at Ayala Station and Taft Station. Northbound loading stations are at MRT 3 Taft Station and Ayala Station, and unloading stations are at Ayala Station, Quezon Ave. Station, and North Ave. Station.

The list of loading and unloading stations will be gradually expanded, pursuant to the DOTr’s phased and calibrated approach in restarting Metro Manila’s public transport network.

The MRT-3 Bus Augmentation Program is intended to bridge the gap between MRT-3’s pre-quarantine capacity of 1,182 persons per train set, and its current reduced capacity of 394 per train set, due to implementation of 1-meter physical distancing inside trains

Under the MRT-3 Bus Augmentation Program, the first bus departs at 5:30 a.m. and the last bus departs at 8 p.m.

Pursuant to LTFRB guidelines, the bus operators that have been service contracted by DOTr-MRT3 are grantees of Special Permits from the LTFRB for the eventual EDSA Carousel Route. The bus operators are required under their Special Permit to observe health and safety measures, including 50 percent capacity loading, implementation of a “No Face Mask, No Ride” policy, temperature check of passenger prior to boarding, and regular disinfection during operations.

As of June 4, the MRT 3 Bus Augmentation Program has ferried a total of 4,383 passengers.